Cooking and eating seasonally is a great way to spruce up your meal plans and get the most flavor from your food, especially in the colder months. But how do you store fall produce without mountains of plastic?
I asked chefs and pro organizers for their best fall food storage ideas that cut back on plastic waste, and they’ll even keep your food fresher for longer.
5 Ways to Store Fall Produce Without Plastic1. Wrap Root Veg in Cotton
Correct storage can make food last longer and hold its flavor.
(Image credit: Michelle Nussbaumer)
Root vegetables are a hearty foundation for so many fall and winter dishes, but they can quickly turn rubbery in storage.
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To counter this, Edmund “Ed” McCormick, food science specialist, culinary author, and founder of Cape Crystal Brands, suggests, ‘Wrap carrots, beets, or parsnips in a slightly damp cotton towel and place them in a cool cabinet or fridge drawer. The towel regulates humidity and prevents roots from becoming limp.’
You can find 100% cotton muslin fabric at Walmart, ideal for cutting to size for storing fall produce.
2. Mesh Bags for Onions
Breathability can prevent sprouting.
(Image credit: Nkuku)
Breathability is key for a lot of fall produce, a factor that plastic kitchen storage does not take into account.
For foundational essentials such as onions and garlic, Ed recommends switching to mesh bags from Wayfair instead.
He explains, ‘Airflow prevents sprouting and spoilage. Hanging them in a cool corner or pantry looks rustic, and it frees up counters.’
Alternatively, you can keep onions and squash-type produce in pull-out baskets, such as the Stackable Wire Pantry Baskets from Target, adds Angelia York, professional organizer and VP at Saint Louis Closet Co.
‘They let your food breathe while keeping your pantry organized and visually pleasing,’ she adds.
3. Lined Glass for Leafy Greens
Glass food storage is perfect for fridges.
(Image credit: Tom Howley)
Fresh greens are some of the worst offenders for quick spoilage, creating unnecessary trash at home.
Rather than bundling them in plastic, however, Amanda Anderson, plant-based chef and founder of Plant-Based Sis, says, ‘I wrap them lightly in a damp cloth or paper towel and pop them in a glass container in the fridge.’ The Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage from Target is ideal for this.
‘They stay crisp for days without needing any plastic.’
4. Ferment Surplus
Preserving food can add extra health benefits.
(Image credit: IKEA)
Polya Petrova, cleaning and organizing expert at Fantastic Services, recommends preserving surplus fall produce to make it last through the seasons and add flair to your cooking.
She explains, ‘fermenting surplus vegetables, such as cabbage or carrots, in glass jars extends their shelf life and adds nutritional value.’
Glass fermenting jars, from Walmart, are a must for this.
5. Display Hard-Skinned Squash
Swap your faux pumpkin kitchen decor for real ones.
(Image credit: Anthropologie)
You may have heard of using kitchen tools such as chopping boards and oil bottles to decorate kitchen counters, but how about using your fall produce for a stylish twist?
Amanda shared, ‘Hard-skinned squash and pumpkins do surprisingly well just sitting in a cool, dry spot on the counter or pantry. No bag required, and they’ll keep for weeks.’
What to Shop
Set of three
Prep & Savour Reusable Cotton Mesh Produce Bags
The 100% cotton mesh material allows the bags to be breathable and reusable for all of your supermarket trips. These bags are machine washable, making them long-lasting, too.
Use verticle height
Simplehouseware Cabinet Wire Basket Drawer Organizer
These divided wire baskets are ideal for keeping root vegetables neat and fresh in the fall. Plus, they make great use of vertical storage to save space.
Set of five
Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers
100% leakproof, these glass food containers keep food fresher for longer. Plus, they are microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe for convenience.
Two sizes
Small Woven Water Hyacinth Milk Crate
Measuring 8x10x11 inches, these handwoven water hyacinth baskets are ideal for maintaining breathability while keeping your kitchen storage aesthetic.
Non-toxic
Great Value Distilled White Vinegar
Distilled white vinegar is a fantastic non-toxic cleaning tool for produce, removing any pesticide spray residue and dirt without harsh chemicals.
Set of two
Black Duck Brand Vegetable Brushes
These handy vegetable scrub brushes are perfect for removing dirt and residue from produce for fresher food storage.
Meet the Experts
Edmund McCormick
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Food Science Specialist
Edmund McCormick is the founder and CEO of Cape Crystal Brands, a food science company specializing in natural hydrocolloids, emulsifiers, and thickeners for modernist and clean-label cooking. He is the author of numerous food-science articles and the comprehensive 600-page reference book Beginner’s Guide to Hydrocolloids: Understanding Food Thickening, Emulsification, Stabilizing, and Jellification.
Angelia York
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Vice President
Angelia has dedicated over 30 years to transforming and organizing homes. She specializes in helping clients maximize their storage through stylish, tailor-made solutions. In addition to working directly with homeowners, Angelia partners closely with builders to design custom storage systems that enhance the functionality of new homes and add long-term value.
Amanda Anderson
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Chef and Recipe Developer
Amanda is a plant-based chef, recipe developer, and Caribbean food expert on a mission to prove that vibrant, flavour-packed dishes don’t need meat or dairy to hit the spot. Trained by tradition and sharpened by over 20 years of plant-based living. She specializes in bold, soulful recipes rooted in Jamaican heritage.
While you are upgrading your fall produce storage, work through a quick fall pantry reset to prepare your kitchen for the demands of holiday cooking.
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